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REI closing again on Black Friday

Posted: Oct 24 2016 09:09AM CDT

Updated: Oct 24 2016 09:15AM CDT

(KMSP) - Outdoor retailer REI is once again closing its doors on Black Friday and encouraging everyone to get outside the day after Thanksgiving. REI has been named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 companies to work for.

REI’s Black Friday closure last year inspired the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to offer free admission to all state parks as an alternative to spending the day battling crazy crowds at the shopping mall. The car counter at Fort Snelling State Park last year had already reached 400 by lunchtime. Usually on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the park gets around 150 cars passing through its gates.

REI message to members

Dear members and friends,

For eight decades our co-op has been dedicated to one thing: a life outdoors. That's why last Black Friday we put purpose ahead of profits, closed our doors and paid our employees to head outside. And 1,408,117 of you skipped the stampedes and joined us. Our values haven't changed. This year we're closing again. And together we can create a new tradition—millions and millions of people celebrating in our parks, on the trails, in the mountains and on the water. But we can't do it without you.

So consider this your invitation. On November 25, REI will close our doors and #OptOutside. Will you go out with us?